W-Tao Sushi — Restaurant in Des Moines

Disclaimer: I’ve never really been a fan of sushi or raw fish. In fact, I’ve often avoided it altogether. However, this particular experience has completely shifted my perspective on sushi, and I’m glad I gave it a chance.

From the moment we walked into the restaurant, the atmosphere was buzzing with energy. It wasn’t just the food that had everyone in a great mood—the place was packed with people clearly having a good time, talking, laughing, and enjoying their meals. There’s something about a lively environment that makes the experience so much better. We were greeted right away by a friendly host who welcomed us with a smile and got us seated immediately. I appreciated how seamless everything was from the start, as it set a positive tone for the rest of the meal.

Once seated, the server quickly asked us what we wanted to drink, giving us plenty of time to look over the menu. And let me tell you, that menu was packed. There were so many options that it felt almost overwhelming at first. I didn’t even know where to start. But, honestly, I see that as a good sign. I’d much rather have a ton of different choices than feel limited by a small menu, especially at a sushi restaurant where there are endless possibilities for combinations of ingredients and flavors.

Despite my initial hesitation (remember, I’m not a sushi person), my group encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone and try something new. They reminded me that this was the perfect opportunity to broaden my horizons and challenge my usual food preferences. After scanning the menu for a while, I decided to take the plunge and order the Miracle Roll. But that wasn’t all—I ended up trying the Black Dragon Roll and a few other rolls as well because we decided to share everything family-style. That was one of the best decisions we made. It allowed each of us to taste a variety of sushi without committing to just one dish, and it made the experience a lot more fun.

What initially drew me to the Miracle Roll was that it featured shrimp tempura, one of my all-time favorite foods. I figured if there was anything that would ease me into the world of sushi, it would be something with shrimp tempura in it! I have to say, I wasn’t disappointed. The tempura was crispy and delicious, just the way I like it, and the other ingredients complemented it perfectly. In fact, I’m already planning to order it again next time—perhaps alongside some ramen for a full, satisfying meal.

As for the Black Dragon Roll, that one surprised me even more. It had a crispy fish on top, with a sweet and tangy sauce drizzled on top. The sauce added just the right amount of sweetness without being overpowering, while the veggies inside gave it a fresh, crunchy bite. Even though the textures of sushi were new to me, I found them intriguing and, in the end, enjoyable. I ended up liking the Black Dragon Roll even more than the Miracle Roll, which I didn’t expect!

What started as a casual night out with friends turned into a culinary experience that changed my opinion of sushi completely. I left the restaurant feeling not only satisfied but excited to try sushi again in the future. I can now see why people rave about it—the variety of flavors and textures is something special, and there really is something for everyone, even if you’re not a fan of raw fish.

To top it off, the restaurant also has a full bar, which adds another layer to the experience. Whether you’re looking to have a fun evening with friends, enjoy a few drinks, or even plan a date night, this place is a fantastic option. It’s located downtown, so it’s in a prime spot if you’re in the mood for a lively night out. I’d highly recommend this place, not only for sushi lovers but for anyone who wants to step out of their comfort zone and try something new.

In conclusion, if you’re ever in the area and looking for a restaurant with a fun vibe, an extensive menu, and delicious sushi, this spot is a must-visit. Even if you’re like me and not particularly into sushi, you might just find yourself...

We love Wasabi Tao. So much so that last week when we were spending the night in the hospital after the birth of our son, we made an online order and asked our in-laws to pick it up and deliver it to us. They did and arrived just before visiting hours ended. They left and we decided to dig in at which point we discovered we received a much smaller order than the one we made due to confusion on the part of my in-laws. Sleep deprived and now without food (there was enough to give my wife the dinner she craved 😁) I called and didn't have a solution. They still had our order, we couldnt leave to get it, we didnt have a means of delivery, we had someone else's food, AND they had to remake that person's order when they came to pick up their order. (I am sure there are obvious solutions in hindsight, but they were not apparent in the moment.) A dinner disaster, of sorts, and no fault of the folks at WTao. After hearing my plea, they promised they would refund our money if I went online and called the online ordering company. That seemed like such a daunting task from the hospital. I hung up the call saying that I was sorry and that they could keep the money because it wasn't a big deal at the end of the day and it really was our fault. 10 minutes later I got a call back saying that THEY had reached out to the online order company to refund the order on our behalf and when I offered to pay for the food we did recieve, they declined. I know it's hard to be a restaurant in this day and age. It's even harder to find good people and think about your bottom line being impacted by things like what happened here. So, to that end, I'm both surprised and impressed. But in the process they secured our loyalty. I can't imagine getting sushi from anywhere else for a very long time. To the staff and owners, thank you. You didn't have to, and you did. You have forever fans in the...

Having just returned from a year abroad in Asia, I was very keen to try some Asian cuisine back home here and see how it compared. This was my first time dining at Wasabi Tao and I was beyond impressed with my experience. The decor and vibe are very stylish and modern, which definitely adds an aire of sophistication but isn't "trying too hard." My friend and I went during happy hour from 4-6pm and got some amazing deals! Their cocktails were $5 (normally $8) and they had many different unique ones, not just run-of-the-mill standards (e.g. drinks with lychee puree, elderflower liqueur, etc.). They also had $5 sushi rolls, which were smaller standard rolls but still good. I ordered the "V.I.P. Roll," a specialty roll, as well. It was GREAT! It was a large salmon/avocado/asparagus roll with torched yellowtail on top - perfectly seasoned and the texture was spot on. Came with a spicy lychee sauce on drizzled over top and honey wasabi (which I didn't try but my friend enjoyed it). There were so many appetizing drinks, sushi rolls, etc. that we had a hard time deciding what to try! I also ordered the baked miso-soy eggplant...delicious. I would definitely recommend this to anyone, particularly sushi lovers. Wait staff was very friendly, kept our waters filled, and were quick to help when we asked. Definitely one of the best restaurant experiences I've had...